Find Resources

Queer Youth Kawartha Lakes (QYKL) is a group for queer youth to safely express themselves without judgement, build positive relationships with other queer youth in the City of Kawartha Lakes, and facilitate activities to advocate and spread awareness of queer people and events. Youth ages 12 to 17 are welcome to join QYKL. QYKL runs every Thursday from 6 pm to 7:30 pm. Note: QYKL runs during the school year.

This group provides a safe space for youth aged 12 to 25 to connect with other youth of the LGBT2SQ+ community on a monthly basis. Hosted by our Peer Support Workers assisted by a partner clinician, youth can enjoy games, activities and a place to hang out.

Rainbow Camp: Welcome Friend Association's Rainbow Camp is a paid in-person overnight summer camp for 2SLGBTQ+ and allied youth, their siblings and children in queer families, ages 8-18. WFA's Rainbow Camp is committed to developing a camp community which honours creativity, individual choice, and social justice while having fun!

Rainbow Online Connection (ROC): Rainbow Online Connection (ROC) is WFA Rainbow Camp's online programming to connect with campers and camp families throughout the year! Our programs include Youth ROC (free), Dungeons and Dragons (six-session Dungeons and Dragons campaigns for ages 12-17, all experience levels welcome)
and Parents ROC (free support group for parents, guardians, and caregivers of 2SLGBTQ+ youth)

Families in TRANSition (FIT) is a 10-week closed group for parents / caregivers of 2-Spirit, trans, non-binary, gender-questioning youth (ages 13-24) who have recently learned of their child’s gender identity.

This group typically runs 4 times a year, for 10 weeks. Please contact Jordan.Zaitzow@ctys.org for more information about registration and dates.

For now, this service continues to operate virtually. Parents from anywhere in the GTA, throughout Ontario, or across so-called Canada are welcome to join.

Participants will be supported to:
-Gain tools and knowledge to help improve communication and strengthen their relationship with their youth
-Learn about social, legal and physical transition options
-Strengthen skills for managing strong emotions (fear, sadness, worry, etc.)
-Explore societal/cultural/religious beliefs that impact trans youth and their families
-Build skills to support their youth and family when facing discrimination/transphobia/transmisogyny
-Promote youth mental health and resilience

There is also a FIT youth group that is open to youth ages 13-24 who are Two Spirit, nonbinary, trans, or exploring gender in any way. The youth group focuses on gender exploration, identity, and activism, through an arts-based lens. Contact Char Bondy char.bondy@ctys.org for more details!

THIS RESOURCE IS NOT 2SLGBTQ SPECIFIC

ONTX is an anonymous text and online chat line for anyone who is in distress, crisis, or just needs someone to talk to.

Brock Pride is the official Brock University club devoted to creating a safe, social environment for students of diverse gender and sexual identities. We offer a welcoming atmosphere which provides an opportunity for students of the pride community (gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, two-spirited, intersex, queer, questioning or otherwise associated) and their allies to create support networks and gain guidance in maintaining healthy relationships, coming out, and other issues relevant to having a queer identity. We will also pursue the advancement of equality, acceptance and fair treatment of LGBTQ+ issues such as accessibility of same-sex marriage, homophobia on campus and in the community, addressing heterosexism and lack of representation in society, and fair treatment of pride community members.

THIS RESOURCE IS NOT 2SLGBTQ SPECIFIC

StepStones for Youth believes every youth in and from foster care deserves the opportunity to thrive and have a sense of belonging. We serve youth ages 10 to 25 by supporting them in building long-term connections, securing stable housing, and increasing life skills through various workshops. We facilitate community connections for mental health, education, employment, and housing and provide housing subsidies where required.

A free 8 week virtual group for youth 12 to 15 exploring their gender identity and gender expression. Learn about and discuss topics such as: self-care, self-advocacy, media, dysphoria, body image, coming out, gender affirming care and intersectionality.

THIS RESOURCE IS NOT 2SLGBTQ SPECIFIC

Haliburton County Youth Wellness Hub – providing an inclusive and welcoming space for all youth aged 12-25 in our community.

The Haliburton County Youth Wellness Hub has been co-created with Haliburton County youth. Many community services have come together with leadership from Point In Time and Haliburton Highlands Health Services to support youth in developing this collaborative, multi-use space.

Services and Supports available at the Youth Hub include:
-mental health & addictions
-peer support
-primary care, sexual health, and trans positive health care
-care coordination
-employment & vocational supports, including The Lift Program (Individual Placement and Support)
-income supports & housing help
-other responsive services as needs arise
Drop-in and other programs build resilience, protective factors and give youth a place to belong and to call their own. These integrated resources provide quick and timely access to a broad range of supports.

YAAHA was created by LGBTQ2S youth for LGBTQ2S youth in Scarborough who identify along gender or sexual diversity spectrums and are seeking an inclusive, affirming drop-in group to connect with others and receive referrals to other supports.

Eligible youth must identify with Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, Queer or Questioning, and Two-Spirit, LGBTQ2S+. We provide group activities including group chats and hanging out with like-minded young people for friendship and support. We can also refer youth to counselling services through Youthlink.

The Gender Journeys group is ideal for those in the early stages of gender transition ages 17+. In this group, you will learn about and discuss gender, transition, and well-being. It is also a place to meet others who are going through similar experiences. You do not have to be on hormones to take part; it is open for those who are on hormones, pre-hormones, or don’t want them at all.

We have groups starting several times during the year. Each group meets once a week for a total of 8 weeks. The groups are currently offered virtually using Zoom.

THIS SERVICE IS NON-QUEER, TRANS & LGBTQ SPECIFIC

NEDIC provides information, resources, referrals, and supports to Canadians affected by eating disorders. This includes our national toll-free helpline and chat service where individuals affected can speak to a trained support worker.

Windsor-Essex Pride Fest strives to strengthen the sense of community and
contribute to the vibrancy, health and overall well-being of LGBTQ2S+ persons
in WindsorEssex. Raising awareness of ongoing issues facing the LGBTQ2S+
community including youth suicide, discrimination & bullying. Windsor-Essex
Pride Fest as an organization is more than just a festival, it empowers
individuals to reach out to each other and facilitates opportunities for
connection and belonging through age-specific activities or initiatives,
peer-facilitated groups and special events and will address social isolation
and create a social environment that is more accommodating, resilient and
connected to the broader LGBTQ2S+ community in Windsor-Essex.

2-Spirit Circle Closed Group is an all ages group that provides programming for 2-Spirit First Nations, Inuit and Métis community members in Windsor Essex, facilitated by Shane Lyon (2S Mi'kmaw/Irish) and presented by the Windsor-Essex Pride Fest. The 2-Spirit Circle ensures that everyone attending this group will have a non-judgmental, supportive space to get together and explore your identities and what that means to you. We will do this through Sharing Circles, Traditional Teachings, music, crafts, game nights and other activities to build connections within our community of Windsor-Essex.